9 Modal Verbs and Examples

CAN

Ability, doubt, astonishment, permission, polite, request

MAY

Permission, supposition, with doubt, if not prohibition

MUST

Obligation, firm necessity, logical, conclusion, probability

SHALL

Intention, supposition

WILL

Wish, desire, will, confidence,in the future

OUGHT TO

Moral duty, insistent advice, strict recommendation

NEED

Necessity

HAVE TO

Unwillingness, forced circumtances

WOULD

Wish (wish “to like”), polite request, a habit of the past